Cyprus-Forum.com

[Lambrinoula]

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*************XRISTOS ANESTI & XRONIA POLLA SE OLOUS*******


Hi... I am new to this site and I am SO happy that I found it. I have a lot of questions and it sounds like there are a lot of people here that can help.

I am planning to get married in the near future to my Cypriot boyfriend. We are both currently in NYC and he came a few years ago to study. I am Greek-American and have lived here my whole life, spending the past 20 summers in Greece. I have always wanted to try living in Greece and have felt strongly about raising my family there and NOT in NYC. So--- now that we are getting serious, the subject has come up that he definitely wants to move back to Cyprus in a few years. I am willing to go with him and I am just trying to get as much info as possible so I can battle the negative reaction that I have gotten from friends and family so far. I KNOW it will be difficult but living in NYC is not a piece of cake either.

What can anyone tell me about the difficulties that I will be faced with???

P.S. I have a dual masters degree in Elementary Education and Special Education so I think finding a job wont be too hard.


THANK YOU SOOO MUCH

[Svetlana]

Hi

Its a big question!

Has your fiancee served in the National Guard, as he will probably have to, if he has not already served.

I take it you have Greek nationality and can speak Greek? That will make life much easier.

Have you actually been to Cyprus? It is tiny, with a population about the size of Manhattan's, I would guess. You might find it very closterphobic.
In NY, you can have everything (subject only to the size of your bankroll) here we are very limited when it comes to shopping ( I was in Saks, Macys and Bloomingdales only a few months back )

Sadly, many repartriating Cypriots are 'looked down on' by the locals, for reasons which escape me entirely, though they bring with them a broad culture and experience of life.

My advice, try living here for a month if possible, before taking the decision on a move, it is very different from Greece and another world to NYC - but I love it!

<< Have a happy memory of being in the cosmetic department of Saks, when a bunch of the guys and girls joined up in a line to sign a spontaneous 'New York, New York'!>>

Lana

[Lambrinoula]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply!

Yes he has served in the army.
Yes I am Greek and I speak Greek fluently and can understand Cypriot as well, so that is a plus.

I have been living on my own for the past 6 years and have been supporting myself, so unfortunately I am not a Bloomingdales-Saks type of girl. I am very practical and would rather find a bargain than spend a fortune on material things. The one thing I am worried about is the convinience that I have grown accustomed to living in NYC my whole life and how I will deal with the lifestyle change. Although I am used to the fast-pace of NYC, I do constantly feel stressed and burnt-out from the daily routine and I know that life is much more relaxed anywhere in Europe compared to here.

I am also worried a bit about the reaction that you talk about from the Cypriot people. I read from your profile that you are from Paphos and he is from there as well but I am hoping to live in a larger city so that the transition is a little easier.

What would I have to do to become a citizen? This summer I will be applying for Greek citizenship, will that help me at all with the legal situation?

We are going in the summer for a few weeks, unfortunately I cant stay for a month as you suggested.

Thank you so much again for your help and any other info that you might have or topics that you think I should consider would be greatly appreciated!!

[Svetlana]

Hi

You say you are Greek but will have to apply for Greek citizenship!
So, you are Greek by culture and origin. Once you are a Greek citizen, there will be no impediment to you seeking employment; maybe even as the wife of a Cypriot you will be OK. Why not give the Cypriot Embassy a call in NY?

Paphos is the fastest growing part of the island but the growth is centred on tourism and property development, you may well be better of in Nicosia or Limassol, which are much more cosmopoliton. I do not know Larnaca well, but for me it holds few attractions.

Yes, the resentment against repartiating Cypriots is weird; I have many friends in this situation. There was until a month ago, a TV soap which featured, in a very negative light, a repatriated Cypriot family. It got huge publicity and the programme (sorry program!) got pulled.

Good luck with whatever, you do.

Lana

[magikthrill]

Lambrinoula,

Are you from Astoria by any chance?

Hehe. Well I believe that if you attain Greek citizenship then you shouldn't have a problem working anywhere in Cyprus (except for the occupied territories ) since they are a part of the EU now.

ALso, if you do have questions about Cyprus contact the RoC consulate in NY (as svetlana told you). I have friends who work in the Greek embassy and tell me how annoyed they get when people ask them for stuff regarding Cyprus , seeing as it is a completely different country hehe.

I know of many NY who moved to Cyprus. One of my uncles (he used to own part of Athens Cafe in Astoria) moved to Larnaca a few years ago. He is originally from the occupied territories but his wife is Greek and they both tell me its the best decision they made.

In the end though it really dpends on how you feel about uprooting yourself. If you dont mind leaving NY and everything behind then I believe you will enjoy your time very much. Otherwise it could be much harder to adjust.

[Lambrinoula]

Yes I am from Astoria!!! What a coincidence!
Well I am DEFINTELY going to give a call to the Consulate Center to figure out if I should become a Greek citizen this summer or if I should just wait until we are married and then get Cypriot Citizenship.

What a small world, I live only 5 minutes from Athens Cafe! Some more Cypriots just opened a new cafe, Avenue Cafe, only a few blocks down and it has become very successful! I love seeing Greeks and Cypriots come and flourish, especially in Astoria, its such a great place to stay connected to your roots.

My family is spread out all over the states and I dont get to see them as often as I would like, so I feel like moving to Cyprus would probably be the same thing as I have now, PLUS I would be so much closer to my family in Greece.


Thanks again for all this help, I am so glad to have found this site

[magikthrill]

Hey Lambrinoula,

Yes I know Avenue. My cousin used to work there. My parents moved back to NY when I came to study in LA and they just moved from Astoria to Whitestone last year but Astoria is definitely the place to be .

Anyway hers another tip. Im not sure if you ever been to Cyprus at all but it is quite different from Greece. There is a HUGE british influence on the island so as a Greek American you will need to get used to some stuff (eg fish and chips hehe)

Also although you are closer to Greece it is still 1.5 hrs flight away. I believe though within time you will be able to find cheap tickets and going to Athens may even become a weekend thing within the next 4 years (its only 40 Euro to fly from Athens to Berlin!)

Good luck with your pursuits!

[Lambrinoula]

S'euxaristw gia ola Magikthrill!!

I will be going to Cyprus this summer for the first time so I guess we will see what happens!! I am so excited!

[metecyp]

Yes I know Avenue. My cousin used to work there. My parents moved back to NY when I came to study in LA and they just moved from Astoria to Whitestone last year but Astoria is definitely the place to be Smile.

How do we get to this Astoria place? I'm in Boston but I visit NYC sometimes. Can someone give me quick directions from Penn Station to Astoria?

[Lambrinoula]

OK--

When you get out of Penn Station you are going to be on 7th Avenue and about 32nd Street. Behind you you will see Madison Square Garden and you are going to cross 7th Avenue and walk away from Penn Station and MSG. Walk down the side street and the next avnue you will come to is 6th Avenue. There are entrances for the N/R/W trains on 6th Avenue anywhere between 32nd Street and 34th Street. Take any one of the entrances down to the subway and follow the signs for the N, R or W train towards UPTOWN or QUEENS. Take the N or W train uptown and it is about 10 stops. You are going to get off at 30th Avenue in Astoria. (it is the stop right after Broadway so start getting ready) When you get off at 30th Avenue walk up 30th so the streets are going upwards and you will pass Athens Cafe at 32nd Street and Avenue is on 36th Street.


I know these directions may have been a little TOO detailed since you have been to NYC before but I figured it would help anyone else who might want to come for the first time.

Enjoy!! And if you are hungry I recommend the Avenue Meze